27 August 2012 12:11 PM

Monday's talking point: Sorry Andy, but Coventry have got this one right

It is not often I agree with a club sacking a manager three games into a season, but Andy Thorn's departure from Coventry had been a long time coming.

The club's board - still controlled by SISU - have got things wrong in the past, but the farcical goings on behind the scenes at the Ricoh Arena during Thorn's tenure cannot hide the fact that he has struggled to inspire his side for over a year now.

Yes, some of that can be blamed on a lack of support, both financially and vocally, and yes, he did an OK job last season given the club's limited resources and with all that was going on behind the scenes, but let's not kid ourselves - the team still got relegated from Championship.

Sacked: Andy Thorn was relieved of his duties on Sunday

Thorn has seen his best players leave and has had to work on a limited budget, but these are problems faced by a large percentage, or perhaps even a majority of Football League clubs.

People will question the timing of the departure - three games into the new season - but it makes perfect sense to me, and it is finally a sign of some conviction from the club's power-brokers.

The logic is sound, as chief executive Tim Fisher explained in a statement: 'Last season there were off-the-field matters that affected team affairs,' he said.

'We felt it was right to give Andy the chance to put that right but do not feel that has happened.'

'Of course, the fact that we have surrendered the lead in the first three league games has not helped but there are several other factors in this decision - not just three disappointing results.'

The board, as Fisher said, owed Thorn a chance, but it was not just a three-game chance he was given. He had been given a summer to rebuild his squad and rejuvenate morale, two things the early evidence suggested he had struggled to do to a standard capable of ensuring a swift return to the Championship. Last season's on-field problems of shipping goals and wasting chances have not gone away.

Let's not forget that Thorn has, after all, been in charge for 60 games, emerging victorious just 13 times, with a win percentage of just 21.67.

With time still available to bring in players, the board had to act quickly after the disappointing 2-2 draw at home to Bury - their third in a row - or not at all.

Stuttering start: Coventry have yet to win in League One this season

Former players Lee Carsley and Richard Shaw have been placed in temporary charge, with Carsley and ex-Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies being installed as the two early favourites for the job.

Whether the board pick the right man is another question entirely, and with no chairman in place and the club owing £600,000 to Ricoh Arena operators Arena Coventry Limited, the future is far from clear.

But what is clear is that Thorn would have struggled ensure that Coventry's stay in League One (this is their first season in the third tier for 48 years) was only a brief one.

If you want an example of a ridiculous sacking, look at Sean Dyche at Watford this summer, look at Lee Clark at Huddersfield in February, don't look at this one.

This had been a marriage destined for divorce for a long time.

It's best for both Thorn and Coventry to move on...

Johnson's second coming

Way back in 2005 Gary Johnson had his Yeovil side upsetting the odds at the top of League One. Fast forward seven years and he's doing it again.

A lot of water has passed under the bridge since then, with Johnson taking Bristol City to the Championship play-off final in 2008 before falling from grace to get the sack at Northampton last season with the club struggling at the foot of League Two.

Yeovil have survived several relegation scraps in recent years, but with Johnson back they now top League One after Saturday's 4-0 win at Scunthorpe.

With a few more signings to bolster a thin squad, Yeovil could be ready to challenge in the upper echelons of League One once more.

Baldock back with a bang

What a waste of a year it has been for Sam Baldock. Although, hopefully, the striker will look back on his time at West Ham as an experience that has made him stronger.

Frustration: Baldock was left out in the cold at West Ham

Baldock looks to have lost none of the predatory instincts that made him the most soughtafter striker in the Football League just a year ago. He netted the final goal in Bristol City's 4-2 romp against Cardiff in what was his debut for the club on Saturday.

The 23-year-old will be determined to make up for lost time, and the way Bristol City have been creating chances lately he is likely to continue to show Hammers fans what they are missing.

Dons ship 11 in five days

Given they got off to a winning start against Chesterfield on the opening day, AFC Wimbledon fans will have be hoping that Tuesday night's 6-2 defeat at Burton was a freak result.

But conceding another five in defeat at Bradford on Saturday will have the alarm bells well and truly ringing now.

Performance of the week

BLACKPOOL 6-0 Ipswich

Blackpool remain the only team in the Championship with a 100 per cent record after their mauling of Ipswich at Bloomfield Road on Saturday.

Ipswich had started the season well, picking up four points from their opening two games and conceding just once, but they were unable to cope with the attacking talents of Ian Holloway's side.

Tom Ince was the star of the show, scoring two and making two.

Six of the best: Blackpool were outstanding on Saturday

Scout's corner

James Wallace (Tranmere)

Wallace was outstanding for Tranmere in a loan spell in the second half of last season, and he has picked up where he left off after joining the club on a free following his release from Everton this summer.

The 20-year-old's all-action displays in midfield have helped Ronnie Moore's side to an unbeaten start in League One.

Quote of the week

There were four goals in the 90th minute and beyond at Brunton Park on Saturday as Carlisle beat Portsmouth 4-2.

It can't have been easy for either manager in the closing minutes, but I'm sure Pompey boss Michael Appleton won't agree with his opposite number Greg Abbott's sentiments... 'It was ridiculous wasn't it?' He said. 'As a manager, Michael (Appleton) and myself would've probably rather it end at 2-0.'

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Managment has to come from the top (the owner whoever they are) down for a clubs stability and fortune...... and from the bottom (youngest player) up for quality, positive football that fans want to watch.

As a fan of Coventry all my life i have only seen this on a few occasions, i hope this is what we get one day..... I only have ambitions for coventry to be competative for once and to be proud of whats going on on the pitch, i dont dream of seeing my team in the prem, its a glorified show boat that can ruin or make a club....I dream of seeing cov win a 5-1 or 4-3 thriller game, it will be some 6 years since that has happened (and im talking about a game against Derby in 2006). 7 years is a long time for support to wait for that kind of thrill !

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